RFTA hosts a party to celebrate Rio Grande Trails' first birthday

It's time to celebrate! Climb aboard your bike and pedal your way to the Rio Grande Trail Celebration with us. The Roaring Fork Transportation Authority (RFTA) is hosting a party on Saturday, July 18, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. We will be celebrating the first anniversary of the completion of the Rio Grande Trail.

Come join us as we “race” our way to free food, music and a bouncy house for the kids. Glenwood Springs Mayor Bruce Christensen and Aspen Mayor Mick Ireland will be leading “races” from each end of the valley to meet at the Carbondale park-and-ride for our celebration. Aspen, Snowmass Village and Basalt participants will meet at various times, starting at 9 a.m., and Glenwood participants will meet at O'Leary Park at 9:45 a.m. and ride to the venue in Carbondale, arriving in time for fun, food and festivities.

The Rio Grande Trail stretches from Glenwood Springs all the way to Aspen, uniting valley communities through a nonmotorized transportation system. The multi-use Rio Grande has 44 miles of continuous trail protected from vehicular traffic, except at intersections. Most of the trail is paved, with the exception of a 6-mile, soft-surface stretch between Woody Creek and Aspen.

Save the date! The celebration will be fun for the whole family, including free food, live music, informational booths, and an organized ride through the communities along the trail. Save gas, save the environment, and ride your bike to the event.

For more information or to obtain a trail map of the Rio Grande Trail, please visit www.rfta.com and click on Rio Grande Trail. For additional information about the Rio Grande Celebration or to participate in the race, contact Dawn Chase at RFTA, 384-4985.

Construction updates

Construction is continuing at the 27th Street and Midland Avenue Roundabout. Detours are in place; please use caution when traveling through the construction area.

The city's Electric department will be installing conduit along Midland Avenue between the intersections of County Road 156 and County Road 127. Excavation will take place outside the lane of traffic but the construction zone will be posted for slower speed limits and temporary delays are possible.

The city's Electric Department will continue to upgrade its system on Donegan Road. Donegan Road will be closed to through traffic between Sunny Acres and Vista Drive. This section of the road will be open to local traffic only. The construction work hours will be from 8:30 a.m. until 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. If you have any questions pertaining to this project, you may contact the city's Electric Department at 384-6352.

Bike to Work Day winners are: Amtrak $100 gift certificate — Kevin Carlson; Sunlight Bike tuneups — Jane Frambach, Greg Jeung, Joe Elsen, Marissa Reynolds and Mike Harman. Congratulations to the winners and a big thank-you to all who stopped by our bike station and pedaled their way to work. Thanks for making a difference in our community!

Sabrina Harris is transportation manager for the city of Glenwood Springs.